Christmas in July - 2000 - London Fringe Articles Page 9

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) expands across America this holiday season, including a multi-year deal at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning with their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ. It will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (NappyTabs), with book by Kris Lythgoe and Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor. Casting is by executive producer Becky Lythgoe. This will be the seventh holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in Pasadena, and their second in this larger venue.

NBC's annual “Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® Spectacular” celebrates Independence Day with some of the biggest names in music. Making it the can't-miss event of the summer, Kelly Clarkson, Ricky Martin, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and more will take the stage before the incredible firework display that the show is known for.

A native of San Francisco, Doug Engalla first joined The Group Rep in 1997 as an Actor; while directing projects outside of the Company. In 2007, Doug's first full-length play as Director at the Group Rep was Arsenic and Old Lace, with Rumors being his seventh production as Director there. Other directorial projects included Harvey, A Nice Family Gathering, A Nice Family Christmas, Bless Me, Father (by late Playwright and Group Rep member, Craig Alpaugh); and four World Premieres in the Don't Hug Me musical comedy series by Phil Olson and Paul Olson. When did you first get interested in doing theatre or working on the stage?

Two actors. Five plays. One sexy night. Chiara Alik's smart comedy, Five Times In One Night, runs at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater June 27 to July 20. Produced in collaboration with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Five Times in One Night is directed by R.J. Tolan, and stars Lacy Allen and Drew Lewis. Performances are at 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, June 29 - July 20. Two preview performances, June 27 and 28, begin at 7:30 p.m

The made-in-Canada international phenomenon that is COME FROM AWAY has recouped its full capitalization in Toronto in only 14 weeks, a relatively short period of time for a production of its size and calibre. This signals not only the popularity of COME FROM AWAY but also the strength of the theatre market in Toronto.

The National Philharmonic ends its 2017-2018 season at The Music Center at Strathmore with a musical celebration, '100th Anniversary of Poland's Independence,' today, June 2 at 8 p.m. at the Concert Hall at the Music Center at Strathmore. Conducted by world-renowned Polish Maestro Miros?aw Jacek Baszczyk, the concert will feature music composed by Poland's greatest musicians, performed by some of today's leading vocalists and musicians. The performance will commence with an introduction by the Ambassador of Poland, Piotr Wilczek. The 100th anniversary of Poland has significant meaning for the National Philharmonic, which is led by Polish-born Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski. One of the National Philharmonic's veteran artists, Brian Ganz-who will perform at the Polish celebration concert-is also a frequent performer of Frederic Chopin, beginning a quest in 2011 to perform all of the great Polish composer's works. During this celebratory concert, Maestro B?aszczyk will lead the National Philharmonic Chorale, accompanied by Esther Heideman, soprano; Magdalena Wor, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Duncan, baritone; and the National Philharmonic in Krzesimir D?bski's Hussars' Polonaise and Karol Szymanowski's Stabat Mater and Mr. Ganz in Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21.  Ticket prices are $23-$76 and are free for young people age 7-17. Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301.581.5100.

The National Philharmonic ends its 2017-2018 season at The Music Center at Strathmore with a musical celebration, '100th Anniversary of Poland's Independence,' on Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m. at the Concert Hall at the Music Center at Strathmore. Conducted by world-renowned Polish Maestro Miroslaw Jacek Baszczyk, the concert will feature music composed by Poland's greatest musicians, performed by some of today's leading vocalists and musicians.

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 209th season with the ultimate feel-good musical, MAMMA MIA! Filled with ABBA's catchiest hits, and directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd, and runs through July 15th on the Walnut Mainstage.

Today, The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director Franz Welser-Most have announced that Lisa Wong has been named Director of Choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra, effective immediately. The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus is one of the few professionally trained, all-volunteer choruses sponsored by a major American orchestra. Its members hail from nearly fifty Cleveland-area communities and together contribute more than 15,000 volunteer hours to the Orchestra's music-making each year. Wong will hold the Frances P. and Chester C. Bolton Director of Choruses Endowed Chair.

It has just been announced that stars Ana Gasteyer as ("Miss Hannigan') and Megan Hilty ("Lily St. Regis.") have joined the cast of the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of ANNIE, which will take place Friday, July 27, at 8 pm, Saturday, July 28, at 8 pm, and Sunday, July 29, at 7:30 pm. 

New York Classical Theatre (Stephen Burdman, Artistic Director), New York City's only all-free professional Off-Broadway theatre company, is pleased to announce a new production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to celebrate its 19th Anniversary Season. The production, directed by Mr. Burdman, is the company's first staging of Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lovers, and will be presented in five New York City parks - Central Park, Rockefeller Park/Battery Park City, The Battery, Carl Schurz Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park - with performances from June 5 through July 29 at 7:00 PM. There is no ticketing, and all performances are free and open to the public. New York Classical Theatre also invites audiences to experience unique behind-the-scenes access to open rehearsals on selected dates for each of the five park stagings. 

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 209th season with the ultimate feel-good musical, MAMMA MIA! Filled with ABBA's catchiest hits, and directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd, and runs through July 15th on the Walnut Mainstage.

The world's changing, bro. This summer, Goodman Theatre premieres Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior. Fairey, whose work has been hailed 'a must-see for anyone who follows important new plays' (Chicago Tribune), explores shifting social and gender roles through the lens of four men who gather every Thursday night to vent about middle-aged maladies.

The Jamie Lloyd Company, Ambassador Theatre Group, Benjamin Lowy Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions and Glass Half Full Productions present an extraordinary season of Harold Pinter's one-act plays on the tenth anniversary of the Nobel Prize winner's death, performed in the theatre that bears his name.

The National Philharmonic ends its 2017-2018 season at The Music Center at Strathmore with a musical celebration, "100th Anniversary of Poland's Independence," on Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m. at the Concert Hall at the Music Center at Strathmore. Conducted by world-renowned Polish Maestro Miros?aw Jacek Baszczyk, the concert will feature music composed by Poland's greatest musicians, performed by some of today's leading vocalists and musicians. The performance will commence with an introduction by the Ambassador of Poland, Piotr Wilczek. The 100th anniversary of Poland has significant meaning for the National Philharmonic, which is led by Polish-born Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski. One of the National Philharmonic's veteran artists, Brian Ganz-who will perform at the Polish celebration concert-is also a frequent performer of Frederic Chopin, beginning a quest in 2011 to perform all of the great Polish composer's works. During this celebratory concert, Maestro B?aszczyk will lead the National Philharmonic Chorale, accompanied by Esther Heideman, soprano; Magdalena Wor, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Duncan, baritone; and the National Philharmonic in Krzesimir D?bski's Hussars' Polonaise and Karol Szymanowski's Stabat Mater and Mr. Ganz in Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21.  Ticket prices are $23-$76 and are free for young people age 7-17. Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301.581.5100.

Known across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch, Lea Salonga has been announced for the role of Grace Farrell in Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Annie, one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, which will be this summer's annual staged musical at the Bowl.  

Casting is announced for two REPRISE 2.0 productions with two Tony Award leading actress nominees: Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde - Tony Nomination, Hairspray, Anger Management) is to play Charity in Sweet Charity, directed and choreographed by three time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall from June 20 to July 1, and Carmen Cusack (Bright Star - Tony Nomination, Wicked) is to play Victoria Grant in Victor/Victoria directed by Richard Israel and choreographed by John Todd from September 5 to 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

A collective of perspectives. A public outcry. The establishment of a movement. This month, two new plays- Until the Flood by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Neel Keller and florissant & canfield by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Derrick Sanders-bring a national dialogue to the stage.

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced additional casting for the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE.

Nuffield Southampton Theatres Present The World Premiere Of SS MENDI: DANCING THE DEATH DRILL by critically acclaimed Cape Town-based Isango Ensemble. Part of 14-18 NOW, the UK's official arts programme for the First World War centenary, the production commemorates an untold tragedy from WW1 that took place off the coast of Southampton. Prior to rehearsals beginning Samuel Hodges, Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres will visit Cape Town where the SS Mendi began its journey. Mark Dornford-May directs the production which opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on Wednesday 4 July with previews from Friday 29 June and performances until Saturday 14 July. Dubbed the 'Black Titanic', the sinking of SS Mendi was one of the worst maritime disasters in the 20th century in UK waters.

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 209th season with the ultimate feel-good musical, MAMMA MIA! Filled with ABBA's catchiest hits, and directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd, and runs through July 15th on the Walnut Mainstage.

Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater Announces its 2018 Summer Theater Season featuring 4 outstanding plays and the return of WHAT for Kids.

Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that tells the story of the final week in the life of Jesus Christ. It begins with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ends with the crucifixion. It also highlights the political and interpersonal struggles between Jesus and one of his 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot that are not present in the Bible narratives.

The centennial of renowned American composer Leonard Bernstein is celebrated throughout the National Philharmonic's 2018-2019 concert series at The Music Center at Strathmore. Performing compositions that influenced Bernstein, as well as some of his very own famous works, the National Philharmonic will be the only symphony orchestra dedicating most of its 2018-2019 season to the works surrounding the legendary composer. 

Ken Davenport and Kurt Deutsch announced today that they have optioned the musical rights to the characters from the hit film franchise Vacation by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures to develop a new musical Broadway Vacation.